Kent Police officers encouraged to talk to their colleagues on mental health

24 June 2025

Kent Police officers are being encouraged to keep an eye on colleagues who may be struggling with their mental health.

Federation Chair Neil Mennie said it was important for officers to try to talk to a colleague if they were concerned about them, even if they felt awkward about doing so.

Neil said: “Mental health and wellbeing is so important, especially in this stressful and high-demand profession. This means we all need to keep an eye on colleagues who may also be dealing with additional pressures away from work.

“Often those conversations can feel a little awkward, but remember that some people are struggling and feeling alone – that is a place any of us could find ourselves in, at any time.”

The STEP (Suicide Trauma Education Prevention) campaign, led by Hampshire Police Federation Chair Spencer Wragg, continues to push for proper recordings of suicide and more support for officers. Spencer recently met with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the National Police Wellbeing Service to discuss how the service can do more to protect officers and staff.

Many officers are deeply affected when they attend incidents where a member of the public has taken their own life; one of the STEP campaign’s aims is mandatory TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) referrals for every police officer or staff who attends a suicide.

Neil urged anyone who was struggling with their mental health to talk to the Federation or the force, which could help with its Employee Assistance Programme. His message to members was: “Please look after yourselves and each other.”

It is important for officers who are struggling to know they are not alone, and that there are people there to help. This includes, for immediacy: The Thin Blue Line: visit www.thinbluelineuk.org.uk

and Samaritans: call 116 123

Officers can also access the support offered by charities and organisations including Flint House, Police Treatment Centres, The Ben Fund, Oscar Kilo, and the ‘Stay Alive’ app from Grassroots Suicide Prevention.